Method and apparatus for packing of items

Abstract

Methods are known for conveying bags in the form of a continuous web such that they open at a suitable place during continuous conveyance and during maintenance of the open condition so they can be filled and sealed after closing. Prior art methods utilize complicated methods for retention. According to the invention, the bag web is suspended on horizontal studs mounted on carrier chains running in such a way that the bags open and a surrounding groove around the studs along the chains prevents the bags from falling off during passage of filling stations etc.

1. Method for packing items of lose material goods in film bags comprising the steps of:
 conveying interconnected bags having opening edges in a continuous web through a filling station; 
 bringing the bag web along its opening edges into controlled connection with guide means, wherein said guide means include a smooth guide rail, a left chain and a right chain, said smooth guide rail includes longitudinal grooves, said chains are provided with studs placed spaced apart at equal distances on said chain, said studs horizontally project from the chains and horizontally arranged in a plan of the chains that is substantially perpendicular to said bag web, said bag web includes holes spaced apart at equal distances along the bag web opening edges, and wherein the distance between said studs and the distance between said holes are identical; 
 forcing the opening edges of the bags apart for successively opening of the bags at the filling station as the bag web is in connection with said guide means by engaging said studs through the holes in the opening edges of the bag web against the longitudinal grooves to retain and guide forward opposite opening edges of the bags along the longitudinal grooves of the smooth guide rail through the filling station; 
 filling the opened bags with said items or loose material goods at the filling station; then 
 connecting the opening edges of the bags for closing the bags; and 
 separating the bags from the web. 
 
   
   
     2. Apparatus for packing items or loose material goods in film web of continuous film bags comprising:
 a conveyor for conveying interconnected bags in a continuous web, said bag web comprising holes spaced at equal distances along opening edges; 
 a filling station where the bags are kept open for reception of items or loose material goods; and 
 guide means including a smooth guide rail, a left chain and a right chain; 
 wherein the guide rail changes into a broader, mandrel-shaped rail part designed with first longitudinal grooves at each side, said rail part changes into a wedge-shaped body with second longitudinal grooves in continuation of the first longitudinal grooves, and said wedge-shaped body changes into two parallel third longitudinal grooves; 
 wherein said chains are provided with horizontal studs placed at equal distances which are identical with said equal distances between the holes in the bag web opening edges, said studs projecting horizontally in a plan of the chains that is substantially perpendicular to said bag web; and 
 wherein said studs are held against the longitudinal grooves by rails and guide rolls such that the ends of the studs are inside the longitudinal grooves, as the two chains move in parallel with the studs opposite each other, and as the distance between the third longitudinal grooves corresponds to the distance needed for obtaining a desired opening of the bags.